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Children from Llanelli’s Heol Goffa and Stebonheath schools had a surprise visit from Father Christmas at a special story-telling event.The event was laid on at the Llys Caradog respite centre in Llwynhendy, with support from Carmarthenshire County Council’s Community Engagement Team, part of the Housing department.Children’s librarian Catrin Simons excited the children with a sensory story before the big man himself made a surprise guest appearance.Each child was given a box of chocolates, kindly donated by Asda’s Community Life champion, Simon Evans.

A Llanelli woman has been fined £100 for dropping a cigarette end.Kirsty Knight, aged 19, of Heol Tregoning in Morfa, was also ordered to pay £310.25 prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge by Carmarthen magistrates.She was convicted in absence for an offence contrary to Section 87 of The Environmental Protection Act 1990.The court heard that on July 18 this year council environmental enforcement officers were on duty in the Morfa area when they saw the defendant throw a cigarette end onto the ground before entering a corner shop.They waited for her to come out and then explained that she had committed a criminal offence by throwing litter and issued her with a fixed penalty notice for £75.However, no payment was received and she was prosecuted in court as a result.Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Cigarette ends are not only unsightly but they get trapped in cracks in the pavement which makes them very difficult and costly to cl…

One of the most well -established and best-known businesses in South Wales has opened a new shop in the popular seaside resort of Porthcawl in the County Borough of Bridgend.The new Jenkins Bakery shop in John Street is the 28th in a chain of retail outlets covering a sizeable area in South Wales, from Bridgend in the east to Carmarthen in the west and north to Ystradgynlais in Powys.“This is the third new shop we have opened in the last 12 months,” Jenkins Bakery Operations Director Russell Jenkins proudly declared today.“We are well known for having our roots as a family firm in Llanelli, but we will continue to expand our range of shops as and when we see fit.“The John Street shop in Porthcawl is managed by Zoe Rees and is in a prime town centre location in the semi-pedestrianised precinct with plenty of car parking available nearby.“It’s an exciting new location for all of us at Jenkins Bakery and we are looking forward to making friends with all our new customers in Porthcawl.”Th…

A Llanelli woman has been fined by magistrates after she was seen throwing a cigarette out of a car window.Kirsty Lee Harries, aged 27, of Trinity Road, was convicted in absence to a littering offence at Carmarthen Magistrates Court.The court heard that council environmental enforcement officers were parked in a council vehicle in Murray Street when a car pulled up and parked ahead of them.The female driver was seen throwing her cigarette out of the window before driving off. The officers followed the vehicle until it stopped in nearby Stepney Street and then spoke to the driver, explaining what they had seen.She was issued with a fixed penalty notice; however no payment was received despite a reminder letter being sent.Harries was fined £100 and ordered to pay £310.25prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge.Figures show that around 83% of all litter found on the county’s streets is smoking-related.Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said:…

Llandeilo businessman Simon Buckley has published innovative plans to renovate Llandeilo's historic Market Hall.
The chief executive of the Evan-Evans brewery has sent his draft document to Carmarthenshire Council.
Here is what the document says - Llandeilo Land The Old Market Hall Expression of Interest
IntroductionThe Old Market hall is an important historic building in the centre of Llandeilo. The building is run down and dilapidated, and represents a major challenge for the development of a commercial hub that will serve as the launchpad for the creation of jobs, and the development of ancillary internet-based businesses.This plan sets out the proposal for a novel and dynamic approach to bringing this building back to life and creating the necessary portal for jobs and wealth creation.This is a business opportunity not for private developers but for a community-based project, that will be self-financing once built and will offer a template for other communities across Wales …

Press release from the Hywel Dda Health Board - Hywel Dda Health Board is committed to working together with the third sector and our partner organisations to improve services for our patients. The Health Board has been able to better integrate its approach to the design and improvement of patient services through the collaborative efforts of the following initiatives shortlisted in the Joint Working with the Third Sector and Partner Organisations category of the Best of Health staff awards. These awards recognise and reward staff who go above and beyond their duty in their day-to-day work, as well as demonstrating innovation in improving practice. The finalists for the 2013 award are: Communicare – Improving Communication for People with Sensory Loss This community based group has been set up to implement the All Wales Standards for Accessible Information and Communication for people with sensory loss. Representatives from Hywel Dda Health Board, the third sector, patients and sign l…

Press release from the Hywel Dda Health Board -
Hywel Dda Health Board is committed to improving life expectancy and quality of life for our population. Projects which have helped the Health Board with its pledge to increase life expectancy by three years in the areas with the lowest life expectancy have been short listed for in the Improving Health and Wellbeing in the Best of Health Staff Awards. These awards recognise and reward staff who go above and beyond the call of duty in their day-to-day work, as well as demonstrating a significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of others and addressing inequalities. The three finalists are: Hywel Dda Public Health Wales Team and Hywel Dda Health Board Communication Team Both these teams have carried out a number of initiatives to support individuals to promote healthy living. Working together in 2013, they launched a new bilingual online healthy living resource centre ‘Hywel’s House/Ty Hywel (www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/healthy-…

Ammanford's Alexandra Roach and Swansea’s Cerys Matthews (educated in Llanelli) and will be among the stars taking part in S4C's New Year's Eve show. Matthew Rhys and Bryn Terfel will also feature in the show which looks back at 2013. The Heno and Prynhawn Da presentation team, led by Angharad Mair, will look back at the major events of the year, chronicling both the successes and heartbreaks of a memorable year.
See link for Carmarthen Journal story.

Ammanford residents have been left shocked after the town’s 10ft Santa figure was vandalised.
The festive statue, which stands in Quay Street, had to be repaired by the Ammanford Town Council after being badly damaged by vandals over Christmas.
See link to Carmarthen Journal story.

Leading Welsh brewer Evan-Evans has roundly condemned the national brewers for the new price increases that are planned for January 2014.
With price increases across the board of over 6p per pint, which translates to 20p at the bar, this is a price increase too far.
Simon Buckley, Chief Executive of Evan-Evans said:
"This year the government gave way and supported the industry with the removal of the duty escalator and a duty reduction - the first time for 57 years.
"Now the national brewers, Coors and the other top four, are pushing their prices up in the trade, and as a result are sending our on trade customers to the supermarkets.
"When are they going to get the message that the consumer cannot and will not pay an additional 20p per pint?
"The consumer is already spending more and more in the supermarkets. Despite the best efforts by companies like mine to drive the pub marketplace and to create customer value, the big brewers have lost touch and have forgotten …

A schoolgirl has kept silent for seven days to raise money for a hospital ward. Seren Vaughan, aged 12, from Pontarddulais wanted to raise money as a big thank you to Gwenllian ward, Glangwili Hospital who cared for her Godmother Gail Edwards, from Kidwelly, who suffered a stroke. She did a seven day silence and even had to get permission from her school to be silent and raised £80. Claire Rumble from Hywel Dda Charitable funds said:"How extremely grateful we are that Seren has made such an effort in raising vital funds for the Gwenllian Ward at Glangwili Hospital to show her appreciation for care that was given to her Godmother Gail , Seren is an inspiration to us all" Anyone wishing to fundraise or organise an event for Hywel Dda Charitable Funds should contact the fundraising officers on 01267 239672 or go to www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/supportforlife

Support for the Taf Quality Time Club (the QT Club), which provides a lively meeting point for families coping with dementia-related illnesses, has been coming from all points of the compass over Christmas. Donations totaling £500 have been received from Scotland, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Dorset, adding to all the support the club has been receiving from friends and supporters in Wales.Club chairman Reg Wyeth, from St Clears, included information about the club in his Christmas message to friends across the UK without expecting such a surprising and welcome outcome.
He said “The response was quite overwhelming and every Christmas card my wife, Pam and I received seemed to bring with it a generous donation. It was very touching, especially at Christmas, to receive such help and support when we needed it most”.The funding has already been used directly to support the activities organised by the QT Club.
All who came along to the December Christmas party meeting were able to see at fir…

Cerebra, the Carmarthen based charity for children with neurological conditions and brain injury, is delighted to announce that Carmarthen Town AFC is supporting its work this season.
The football club, through its EMC Services sponsored Community Programme, will be supporting the charity through a series of fundraising events.To launch the support programme, the club hosted the Cerebra Christmas raffle draw at the Richmond Park clubhouse and community centre.
Representatives from the club and the charity discussed fundraising plans and the club and charity mascots (Merlin the owl from Carmarthen Town and Sir E Bear from Cerebra) drew the winning tickets. Paul Ashley-Jones, who heads up Carmarthen Town's Community Programme, said "We pride ourselves on being more than just a football club and every year our fans raise money for deserving local charities. We are delighted to support Cerebra in 2014."Elaine Collins, PR and Marketing Manager at Cerebra, said: "We are …

The latest 'Shop Elli' (about life at the St Elli Shopping Centre) column from the Llanelli Star -

With just six days to go to Christmas, it is the proverbial ‘last lap’ for Christmas shopping at Llanelli’s St Elli Shopping Centre.St Elli centre manager Andrew Stephens said: “All of our traders have been reporting brisk trading and the beauty of our shopping centre is that we are open right up until the last-minute for the pre-Christmas rush.”Santa’s Grotto (part of the big ‘Christmas Shop’ at Unit 1 at the centre) has been very busy in the run-up to Christmas.Mr Stephens said that there was something for everyone at the centre.“One of the features at the St Elli Shopping Centre is the Gilded Lily Craft Fair.“The fair is usually on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday of most weeks, but has been pretty well continuous for the last few weeks.“We think it adds another shopping dimension to the centre. You have your established retailers and then there’s even more activity with diff…

The latest 'On Song' column about the choral scene in and around Llanelli from the Llanelli Star -

It’s been another busy week for Côr Meibion Llanelli. After the success of Saturday’s Christmas concert, the choir performed at Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli on Monday night.The performance was recorded for broadcast on the hospital radio station, Radio BGM.On Wednesday night, the choir will be performing at the Thomas Arms Hotel in Llanelli in their last event before the festive break.It’s also been a busy time for Burry Port Male Voice Choir. On Tuesday, they performed at a special memorial concert at St Mary's Church, Burry Port.The choir is busy organising events for 2014, with a major Cymanfa Ganu already scheduled in for 7pm on March 9 at Jerusalem Chapel, Burry Port.The event will raise funds for the Burry Port National Eisteddfod committee in advance of the 2014 Carmarthenshire Eisteddfod to be held in Llanelli.Pontarddulais Male Voice Choir members are also busy o…

Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas conjured up the festive spirit for the choir’s ‘Sing Christmas’ concert staged at Greenfield Chapel, Llanelli.
Mr Thomas organised a show which cleverly blended audience participation on a number of Carols and Christmas favourites with choral treats from Côr Meibion Llanelli and their guests, Côr Baroc and Parti Llwchwr.
It was a Christmas cracker of an evening, with musical treats galore culminating in a rousing Hallelujah chorus.
Mr Thomas went into the choir’s back catalogue to serve up Song Of Hope from the choir’s 1983 album and provided another gem in Trysor y Crud (The treasure of the manger), a song written by the aunt of BBC newsreader Huw Edwards.
Bethlehem from the musical Martin Guerre (written by the team behind Les Miserables) was given a good airing, while a further treat was provided by ‘Sut Nadolig bu eleni?’ (What sort of Christmas will it be?), a song written by former chorister Bryn Davies, of Llwynhendy.
This fe…

Secret Millionaire Kevin Green turned into the secret chauffeur to help make a wedding day dream come true.
Mr Green, 50, donned a chauffeur’s hat and turned up in his cherished Aston Martin to help do the honours for Swansea couple Kevin and Wanda Harding.
“As requests for help go, it was pretty unusual,” admitted Mr Green.
“By all accounts, Wanda had been on the motorway when I overtook in my Aston Martin, which has a cherished number plate YE54 KEV (Yes for Kev).
“There were only a few days to go before the wedding, but she thought it would be a wonderful surprise to ‘borrow’ the car to drive her new husband Kevin to church.
“She tracked me down through a mutual friend and she was persuasive enough to convince me to hire myself out as chauffeur for the day.
“The couple agreed to hold a special collection at the church for the Make A Wish Foundations, knowing that it is the main charity I support. I am an Ambassador for Make A Wish and was only too pleased to help out.”
The couple …

With 13 days to go to Christmas, the festive season has definitely arrived at Llanelli’s St Elli Shopping Centre.Santa’s Grotto is up and running and is part of the big ‘Christmas Shop’ at Unit 1 at the centre, immediately next to Greggs the bakers.St Elli centre manager Andrew Stephens said: “Our lights are up and Santa’s grotto is bigger and better than ever.“The centre has had an early Christmas present with the vote of confidence from our new owners.“We are currently averaging 600,000 shoppers a month, but December is always our busiest time of the year and we expect to smash that figure this month.“Our appeal to all shoppers is to support all of Llanelli town centre, including the St Elli Shopping Centre.”-------------------------------------------EventsDECEMBER Until Sat 15th Scarlet FM 2013 Toy Appeal Pyramid area / EscalatorUntil Sat 14th AA ASDA EntranceWednesday 11th RathboneCone area Market Hall entranceThursday…

The latest 'On Song' column about the choral scene in and around Llanelli from the Llanelli Star . . .
Côr Meibion Llanelli choristers have some very special guests for their annual Christmas concert this weekend.The choir’s ‘Sing Christmas’ evening is being held at Greenfield Chapel at 7pm on Saturday, December 14.The evening will also feature Côr Baroc and Parti Llwchwr.Côr Meibion Llanelli musical director Eifion Thomas said: “It promises to be a wonderful celebration of the Christmas spirit. The audience will get to listen to some wonderful voices and there will be the chance for some audience participation.”Côr Meibion Llanelli’s musical history is well known throughout Wales and beyond. The choir will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.Côr Baroc is a 65-strong mixed choir formed by Mr Thomas in Llanelli in 2006.Mr Thomas said: “As a choir, we set the bar high in tackling challenging choral works. For example, one of our recent performances included Pergolesi’s Sta…

Members of social entrepreneur Kevin Green's 'Team Green' have had their 'works' Christmas Party.
We enjoyed a splendid meal at La Brasserie restaurant in Wind Street, Swansea, followed by a little clubbing and dancing.
Here are some photos from the night -

The Editor of the Llanelli Star, Rebecca Davies, was the guest speaker at the weekly meeting of Llanelli Rotary Club held at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli.Mrs Davies gave a very informative and entertaining talk on her work at the Star, expressing her desire for the newspaper to highlight the positive aspects of community life in and around Llanelli.She also brought Rotarians up to speed with the latest changes in the world of digital media and the development of the Llanelli Star's website.The vote of thanks was given by Rotarian Susan Roberts, junior vice-president.Mrs Davies, second from right, is pictured with (from left) Mrs Susan Roberts, Llanelli Rotary Club president Ken Abban and vice president Hywel Bassett.

The landmark St Elli Shopping Centre in Llanelli has been sold to a new retail firm.London-based NewRiver Retail Limited, the UK’s fourth largest owner/manager of shopping centres, has bought the centre from insurance group Axa on a freehold basis for £29.2m.“It’s all good news as far as the shopping centre is concerned,” said St Elli Centre manager Andrew Stephens.“This is a thriving and vibrant shopping centre which will always be attractive to investors,” said Mr Stephens.“The sale has been on the table for a number of months, but contracts have now been exchanged and we are able to talk openly about the move.“In terms of what happens on a day-to-day basis at the shopping centre, nothing really changes. We have new owners, but it is business as usual and we view the sale as a real vote of confidence in the centre and the town of Llanelli.“Everyone who works here is very proud of the centre and we think the people of Llanelli and West Wales should be very proud of the centre as well…

The latest 'On Song' column about the choral scene in and around Llanelli from the Llanelli Star -

After the success of his ‘Night With The Stars’ concert at Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli-based concert promoter Cerith Owens is busy planning his 2014 events.Mr Owens, who runs Loud Applause Productions, is keen to work closely with Theatrau Sir Gar on bringing popular musical and choral entertainment to the three Carmarthenshire theatres in Ammanford, Carmarthen and Llanelli.For Llanelli, he has two big events already planned for next year.The singing trio Blake will be at Ffwrnes on Saturday, February 1.Combining the vocal grandeur of The Three Tenors with the infectious harmonies of The Bee Gees and the comedy of the Rat Pack, Blake will be appearing after major tours in Asia, America and Europe.They will be performing numbers from their new album ‘Start Over’.Joining Blake will be classical soprano Natalie Coyle and the Llanelli-based Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers unde…

Multi-millionaire businessman Kevin Green today joined the growing clamour for action against banks who put the squeeze on small businesses.“I am appalled and disgusted by the actions of RBS,” said Green, who runs a massive private property portfolio and other enterprises in a number of business sectors.“Conversations with other businesses throughout Wales suggest that RBS isn’t the only culprit here.“But they are, of course, the ones currently in the spotlight and receiving all the media attention.“The treatment of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) by RBS is nothing short of scandalous.“Stories of the bank exploiting the small print in loan deals abound today. For example, one business I know missed a loan repayment one month and quickly found themselves heading down the road of default.“The pressure put on customers by RBS is neither fair nor morally acceptable. The old joke about banks pulling away the umbrella the minute it starts to rain appears to be very true in today’s…

Carmarthen youth club Dr Mz has got through to the Big Lottery People's Millions vote.
This could win them £40K for a Growing Green Teens Project - the project will support young people aged 12-25 to grow and cook, plus the bits in between!Dr Mz is an amazing youth club in the centre of Carmarthen, used by many young people from the surrounding area. It has a very dedicated and committed staff and team of young people.
Lines are now open to vote.
Call 0871 62 68 168. It costs 11p per call and you can call up to 10 times.Take one minute today (or 10 if you call 10x) and make a difference to young people in Carmarthenshire by making that call.Dr.M’z is a youth drop in centre run by Carmarthen Youth Project for young people aged 11-25.
The club provides a comfortable, safe, informative and stimulating place for young people to meet.

The History of Dr Mz by youth worker Gayle Harris -Once upon a time in 1994-5 there was nothing for young people to do in Carmarthen unless you wanted to …

Welsh Government Education Minister Huw Lewis has officially marked the start of the new £30million Ysgol Bro Dinefwr.The Minister, along with Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge, cut the first sod at the site at Ffairfach.Mr Lewis said: “Education and Skills Minister Huw Lewis said: “The Ysgol Bro Dinefwr project is an excellent example of how the 21st century schools programme is delivering fantastic learning environments for our young people. I’m pleased that we’ve been able to work in partnership with the local authority to make this new development a reality.”An archaeological survey is to be carried out over the next couple of months, and building work is due to start shortly afterwards. Contractors Leadbitter, a Bouygues UK company, aim to be on site early in the new year with a completion target of January 2016.Ysgol Bro Dinefwr, which has replaced Pantycelyn and Tregib, will cater for 1,200 pupils. The category 2B bilingual school will provide first class …

More than £1million is being invested in youth facilities at Glanymor Secondary School in Burry Port.The development is being made by Carmarthenshire County Council and will include the provision of youth and leisure amenities, and the removal of mobile accommodation.A new single storey activity room and glazed conservatory is being built, and the existing areas will be adapted to provide a youth centre.The centre will have a new entrance and reception area, and there will be refurbishment of the existing changing rooms.Technical works include the replacement of the boiler and sports hall heating system, hard and soft landscaping, drainage and other external works.The project has been approved by Dyfed Powys Police through the Secure by Design initiative, and the work is being carried out by TAD builders.Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said: “Burry Port Youth Club is the most well attended of all youth clubs in Carmarthenshire so this development is well deserved and will be well uti…

Hywel Dda Health Board’s Cardigan Stakeholder meeting was well attended by representatives from the health board, county council, social services, the League of Friends and many more from the local and wider community who were updated by the health board on its vision for community hospitals in the future. The health board’s Cardigan development was again described as its flagship development and it was made clear that the design of this service has the potential to be the model for future community services. Assurances were also provided that the health board is committed to providing beds and informed the group that prior to the development of a full outline business case for Welsh Government consideration, an option appraisal process will take place to determine the best use of beds, how many and where these should be allocated for the benefit of the whole community. It was also acknowledged by the health board that the project’s progress was slower than initially planned. The Outl…

The team at the Jenkins Bakery has launched a new three-tier Christmas Tree Cake in the run-up to the festive season.
"We always like to do something extra for very special occasions," said Jenkins Bakery operations director Russell Jenkins.
"This year, our staff have developed a three-tier Christmas Cake, which really does look something special."The cake is made up of 6”, 8” and 10” tiersIt is made of vanilla sponge with green sugar paste, royal piping and coloured smarties decoration.A fairy and star feature on the top and it has edible parcels and edible glitter flakes.Price £90.
Meanwhile, the bakery has an 'Early Bird' offer on Christmas Cakes (8in & 6.5in) and square iced Christmas puddings (small, medium, large) - 10% off. Limited period only.
Website -http://jenkinsbakery.co.uk/

The famous Hywel Girls’ Choir and Hywel Boy Singers are opening their studio doors to give new choristers and families a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes with the acclaimed choristers.The choir are currently busy preparing for a busy few weeks which will include a major orchestral and choral performance with the nationally acclaimed British Sinfonietta at the forthcoming and sell-out Christmas Fantasia, television feature filming for ITV, a radio broadcast for a Christmas Eve, a concert appearance at St. David’s Hall, Cardiff and preparing for a performance with singing sensation Blake.“We’ve had many requests from interested parents and children to get an insight into the training and rehearsals provided for the Hywel Choristers which lead to their performance magic on stage and in front of the cameras”, explains the choir’s Director of Development, Jeremy Hywel Williams.
“It is also a great opportunity for new choristers not only to make friends but to learn about the tr…

An Ammanford man has been fined by magistrates for fly-tipping furniture outside a charity shop in the town.
Ronnie James Carroll dumped a load of furniture including an old wardrobe, TVs, a bed and mattress outside Barnardos in Carregamman Road after the shop was closed.He was spotted by an eye witness and the information was passed on to the council’s environmental enforcement officers who carried out an investigation.Carroll, aged 47, of Swn-Y-Nant, Nantyglyn Road, Glanaman, pleaded guilty to four offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Carmarthen Magistrates Court.He was fined a total of £420 (£105 for each offence) as well as prosecution costs of £567.23, £60 in compensation to Barnardos and a £20 victim surcharge.The offences occurred in September and October of last year.So much furniture was left on the second occasion that staff couldn’t get into the shop to open it up. The furniture was also ruined by the rain which meant it could not be sold and the charit…